22-179 Project Management Specialist (Democracy, Human Rights & Elections) – Readvertisement.

US Agency for International Development

General Statement of Purpose of the Contract

USAID’s Kenya and East Africa Mission (USAID/KEA) is the largest USAID Mission in Africa supporting Kenya’s Journey to Self-Reliance and programs in East Africa. USAID/KEA furthers the Bilateral Strategic Dialogue between Kenya and the United States by addressing shared priorities such as economic prosperity, trade and investment, democracy, governance, civilian security, and multilateral and regional issues. The Democratic Governance, Peace and Security (DGPS) Office is responsible for the achievement of USAID’s governance, accountability, anti-corruption, decentralization, conflict mitigation and preventing and countering violent extremism (P/CVE) objectives in partnership with Kenyan civil society, private sector, and national and county governments. In addition, DGPS supports integrated platforms such as local development organizations, Prosper Counties, and the Partnership for Resilience and Economic Growth (PREG), among others. DGPS’s expertise cuts across sub-sectors and areas including civic engagement and participation, devolution, electoral processes, conflict prevention, peacebuilding, preventing and addressing violent extremism, youth participation, legislative strengthening and oversight, social accountability, independent media, inclusion and gender, among others. USAID/KEA is a Mission of leaders and DGPS Office staff exercise their leadership in their varied roles as technical advisors, developing and managing development programs and representing USAID in external partnerships.

The incumbent serves as Advisor and Principal Specialist on democracy, human rights and elections and provides technical advice and direction in democratic governance (DG) sub-sectors such as legislative strengthening, anti-corruption, rule of law, political processes, and integration of participation, inclusion, transparency and accountability in other sectors. S/he represents USAID and the USG with senior officials of host governments, civil society and private sector in Kenya. Counterparts include U.S. Government Agencies, international, and local non-governmental and private sector organizations (NGOs/PSOs); international donors; and regional/county and national entities and officials.

The incumbent will carry out duties with a high degree of independence including serving as Agreement Officer’s Representative (AOR), Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) and supervision of staff. S/he leads the design, management and evaluation of complex, multi-million-dollar USAID initiatives.

GENERAL INFORMATION

USAID DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING) AND DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANT’S BANK ACCOUNTS.

1.SOLICITATION NO.: 22-179

2. ISSUANCE DATE: October 19, 2022

3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: November 2, 2022 (4:30 PM East Africa Time).

4. POINT OF CONTACT: USAID Kenya and East Africa Human Resources, e-mail at [email protected].

5. POSITION TITLE: Project Management Specialist (Democracy, Human Rights & Elections) – Readvertisement.

6. MARKET VALUE: Equivalent to FSN-12 Step 1 (6,834,442.00 KSH per annum) to Step 13 (11,618,566.00 KSH per annum). In accordance with AIDAR Appendix J and the Local Compensation Plan of USAID/Kenya and East Africa. Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.

7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: The services provided under this contract are expected to be of a continuing nature that will be executed by USAID through a series of sequential contracts, subject to the availability of funds, the continued need for services and successful performance. It is anticipated that the selection of the successful candidate will be completed within an estimated six-month period from the closing date of this solicitation.

8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Nairobi, Kenya; with possible travel as stated in the Statement of Duties.

9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: Open to qualified Kenyan Citizens, including current locally hired employees of the US Mission in Kenya. Employees presently on probation are ineligible to apply.

10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Security certification issued by the US Embassy RSO.

General Statement of Purpose of the Contract

USAID’s Kenya and East Africa Mission (USAID/KEA) is the largest USAID Mission in Africa supporting Kenya’s Journey to Self-Reliance and programs in East Africa. USAID/KEA furthers the Bilateral Strategic Dialogue between Kenya and the United States by addressing shared priorities such as economic prosperity, trade and investment, democracy, governance, civilian security, and multilateral and regional issues. The Democratic Governance, Peace and Security (DGPS) Office is responsible for the achievement of USAID’s governance, accountability, anti-corruption, decentralization, conflict mitigation and preventing and countering violent extremism (P/CVE) objectives in partnership with Kenyan civil society, private sector, and national and county governments. In addition, DGPS supports integrated platforms such as local development organizations, Prosper Counties, and the Partnership for Resilience and Economic Growth (PREG), among others. DGPS’s expertise cuts across sub-sectors and areas including civic engagement and participation, devolution, electoral processes, conflict prevention, peacebuilding, preventing and addressing violent extremism, youth participation, legislative strengthening and oversight, social accountability, independent media, inclusion and gender, among others. USAID/KEA is a Mission of leaders and DGPS Office staff exercise their leadership in their varied roles as technical advisors, developing and managing development programs and representing USAID in external partnerships.

The incumbent serves as Advisor and Principal Specialist on democracy, human rights and elections and provides technical advice and direction in democratic governance (DG) sub-sectors such as legislative strengthening, anti-corruption, rule of law, political processes, and integration of participation, inclusion, transparency and accountability in other sectors. S/he represents USAID and the USG with senior officials of host governments, civil society and private sector in Kenya. Counterparts include U.S. Government Agencies, international, and local non-governmental and private sector organizations (NGOs/PSOs); international donors; and regional/county and national entities and officials.

The incumbent will carry out duties with a high degree of independence including serving as Agreement Officer’s Representative (AOR), Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) and supervision of staff. S/he leads the design, management and evaluation of complex, multi-million-dollar USAID initiatives.

STATEMENT OF DUTIES TO BE PERFORMED

1. Program Management (40%)

  • The incumbent conducts analyses and drafts well-documented memorandums for Mission Director and other senior officials’ authorization.
  • The incumbent provides authoritative direction and guidance to project implementers on technical, reporting and administrative aspects of award implementation as authorized by the CO/AO. The incumbent tracks project finances through maintenance of financial worksheets to monitor financial expenditures and spending rates. He/she ensures that money is disbursed effectively and within budget constraints. The incumbent ensures all program documents and project deliverables are properly maintained, organized and easily accessible in both electronic and hard copy format.
  • The incumbent develops and implements program monitoring plans designed to ensure effective oversight and management of activities. The incumbent ensures that performance-monitoring systems are in place, and that periodic, reliable measures and indicators of portfolio impact are collected.
  • The incumbent is responsible for ensuring that data and documents are easily accessible, current, and complete. The incumbent assesses progress in achieving results for assigned activities, determines when projects are underperforming, makes recommendations regarding corrective action, and provides written activity status reports to mission management and USAID/Washington.
  • The incumbent continually strives to enhance the achievement of results by periodically reviewing the development context, results indicators, and activity implementation progress with the aim of identifying emerging problem areas, new priorities, and recommending necessary adjustments.
  • The incumbent serves as a focal point for assigned contracts/agreements, oversight and monitoring. As COR/AOR of 2 to 5 mechanisms valued at up to $40 million, she/he is knowledgeable of the regulatory and program oversight requirements.

2. Strategic Development and Policy Analysis 30%

  • Leads cross-sectoral analysis and reporting of USAID democracy and governance assistance efforts in Kenya which includes maintaining updating and expanding data.
  • Conducts independent assessments and prepares technical and policy analyses for written reports and oral presentations that evaluate democracy and governance issues, documenting relevant opinions and points of view for use in presentations to senior decision makers and for incorporation into USAID and U.S. Embassy documents to inform and influence decisions.
  • Leads in the development of strategic documents, including Mission and Embassy election and governance strategies and programs; annual Operational Plans; Portfolio Reviews; annual Performance Plan Reports (PPR), CDCS, annual Congressional Budget Justifications; and other ad hoc reports as required.
  • Advises USAID front office, U.S embassy leadership and technical offices on political, social, economic and cultural contexts and local perceptions of USAID and U.S Government’s projects.
  • Provides authoritative briefings for the Ambassador and other officials on democracy and governance, political and economic dynamics in the country and region to inform and shape decisions.
  • Collaborates and consults with the U.S. Embassy and other stakeholders on the USAID democracy and governance portfolio. Ensures all U.S. Government’s democracy and governance-related activities are coordinated, and the responsibilities of all agency partners clearly defined.
  • Mainstreams governance issues across USAID sectoral programs; leads a learning agenda through cross-sectoral context and systems analysis and promotes PITA across technical offices and programs.

3. Strategic Relationships and Representational 20%

  • Conducts joint planning with host country government officials, parliamentary counterparts, the private sector, civil society representatives, media and academia.
  • Represents U.S. policy interests at senior- and working-level contexts. Represents USAID and the U.S. Government in meetings with donors, host government, private sector and civil society.
  • Liaises with other USAID offices, U.S. Embassy departments and agencies, nongovernmental organizations, cooperating agencies, Kenya Government officials and other partners to ensure that USAID assistance is strategic and impactful.
  • Provides specialized advice to international organizations that collaborate with the U.S. Government and leads technical working groups within and outside USAID and Embassy Nairobi.
  • Serves as a key member of USAID and Embassy Nairobi Democracy and Governance Team, and regularly advises U.S. Government officials on political, social, and economic developments as well as cultural contexts and Kenyan’s perceptions of USG programs.
  • Builds and maintains strong working relationship with USAID and USG staff and external partners.

4. Mission and Office Management 10%

  • Serves as USAID’s democracy, human rights and elections specialist and advisor to the DGC Team Leader and USAID Mission Director.
  • Leads a governance team, and provides technical direction and supervision to team members, ensuring that team activities contribute to overall accomplishment of the USAID/KEA strategy and the Journey to Self-Reliance for Kenya.
  • Develops standard operating procedures, staffing and resource plans for the DGPS office.
  • Serves as Acting DGPS Deputy Director for short and extended periods during which s/he supervises 10 staff and has decision making authority over a $5 to $10 million annual budget.

Supervisory Relationship

The incumbent receives overall supervision from the USAID/KEA/DGPS Office Director or his/her designee. The incumbent develops his/her own work objectives against which performance is measured. In the day-to-day work environment, the incumbent takes initiative and is resourceful and creative in resolving problems and attaining the program’s goals and objectives. The incumbent has a wide latitude for exercising independent decision-making.

Supervisory Controls

The incumbent will directly supervise the Project Management Specialist (Democracy and Civil Society), FSN-10 and the PMS (Democracy and Elections), FSN-10 positions. The incumbent leads a team, and provides technical direction to team members, ensuring that team activities contribute to overall accomplishment of the USAID/KEA strategy and Mission’s vision on the Journey to Self-Reliance for Kenya.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The position requirements do not involve rigorous physical demands.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

Any application that does not meet the minimum requirements stated below will not be evaluated.

1. Education: Master’s degree in International Development, Political Science, or related field is required.

2. Prior Work Experience: Minimum seven years of professional development experience, including 5 years managing Democracy, Human Rights, Governance and/or Electoral Assistance programs in Kenya; collaborating with senior host government and civil society officials; and conducting specialized analyses in Dsector.

3. Language Proficiency: Fluent (level IV) English and Kiswahili languages. Ability to prepare and present concise reports is required.

EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS

The Government may award a contract without discussions with offerors in accordance with FAR 52.215-1. The CO reserves the right at any point in the evaluation process to establish a competitive range of offerors with whom negotiations will be conducted pursuant to FAR 15.306(c). In accordance with FAR 52.215-1, if the CO determines that the number of offers that would otherwise be in the competitive range exceeds the number at which an efficient competition can be conducted, the CO may limit the number of offerors in the competitive range to the greatest number that will permit an efficient competition among the most highly rated offers. The FAR provisions referenced above are available at //www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far.

  • Job Knowledge (40 points)

Expertise on current practices and emerging trends in DG assistance, including electoral processes use of information technologies. Deep knowledge of political and power dynamics. Understanding of USG international assistance objectives.

  • Skills and abilities (60 points)

Due to frequent interaction with external stakeholders in high stakes environments, the jobholder must be able to perceive, use, understand, manage, and handle emotions and communicate effectively to ensure positive working relationships are maintained. Excellent oral and written communication skills; ability to interact and work with people of different backgrounds; strong analytical skills. Ability to work independently and exercise judgment; ability to interpret and apply USG and USAID policies, procedures and priorities, ability to interact with high level host country officials; and proven ability to work in a highly dynamic environment.

Total possible points: 100

How to apply

SUBMITTING AN OFFER

Step 1: Register in MyJobsInKenya at www.myjobsinkenya.com

Step 2: Complete the job application at www.myjobsinkenya.com

Step 3: Internal Offerors/Current USG Employees: Attach an updated curriculum vitae/resume (no more than five pages), a copy of your most recent Performance Evaluation Report, and copies of all relevant certificates. Scan and attach all the documents as one attachment and upload them to MyJobsInKenya.

OR

External Offerors/Not Current USG Employees: Attach an updated curriculum vitae/resume (no more than five pages) and copies of all relevant certificates. Scan and attach all the documents as one attachment and upload them to MyJobsInKenya.

Offerors must provide a list of minimum three (3) professional references who are not family members or relatives, with complete name, title, organization where he/she works, description of relationship, with working/accurate telephone numbers and email addresses. The offeror’s references must be able to provide substantive information about his/her past performance and abilities.

Note to Applicants:

1. Offers must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I, item 3, and submitted through myjobsinkenya.com.

2. Submissions will only be accepted throughwww.myjobsinkenya.com. Late and incomplete applications (those that do not contain the applicant’s most current and up to date detailed CV and relevant education certificates) will not be considered for the position.

3. All Applicants must provide at least three professional references, who are not family members or relatives, with working telephone and e-mail contacts. The references must be able to provide substantive information about your past performance and abilities. USAID reserves the right to contact your previous employers for relevant information concerning your performance and may consider such information in its evaluation of the application.

LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS PRIOR TO AWARD

The CO will provide instructions about how to complete and submit any required forms after an offeror is selected for the contract award.

BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES

Benefits and allowances are offered in accordance with the Local Compensation Plan (LCP).

TAXES

The Contractor must observe Kenyan laws including those concerning income and related tax obligations.

USAID REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND CONTRACT CLAUSES PERTAINING TO PSCs

USAID regulations and policies governing CCN and TCN PSC awards are available at these sources:

  1. USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR), Appendix J, “Direct USAID Contracts With a Cooperating Country National and with a Third Country National for Personal Services Abroad,” including contract clause “General Provisions,” available at https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1868/aidar_0.pdf.
  2. Contract Cover Page form AID 309-1 available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms.
  3. Acquisition & Assistance Policy Directives/Contract Information Bulletins (AAPDs/CIBs) for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals available at http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs.
  4. Ethical Conduct. By the acceptance of a USAID personal services contract as an individual, the contractor will be acknowledging receipt of the “Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch,” available from the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, in accordance with General Provision 2 and 5 CFR 2635. See https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/OGE%20Regulations.
  5. PSC Ombudsman The PSC Ombudsman serves as a resource for any Personal Services Contractor who has entered into a contract with the United States Agency for International Development and is available to provide clarity on their specific contract with the agency. Please visit our page for additional information: https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/personal-service-contracts-ombudsman.

The PSC Ombudsman may be contacted via: [email protected].


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